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Seventh Grade News

June 2, 2008

Summer Reading Requirement for Upcoming Eighth Graders

Dear Students,

As you prepare for your vacation, I’d like for you to take a few minutes to plan your summer reading. I want your summer reading to be fun and interesting. With that in mind, you have two requirements for the summer.

Complete the attached BINGO card, and return it on the first day of school. The directions are on the sheet, and there is something for everyone. Make it as easy or as challenging as you want.

2. Read The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell, by Lillian Jackson Braun. Her mysteries are fun to read and her characters are colorful and engaging. Once you have finished the book, please complete ONE of the following projects and bring it with you on the first day of school. These will be your first Language Arts grades of the new school year.

Write a summary of the book in poetry form.
Write a letter to one of the characters; explain why you agree or disagree with a decision he or she made during the course of the story.
Write a sequel to the story.
Put the main events to music. Write and sing a song about the story, and record it. Play it for the class in August.
Design a six or eight panel comic strip depicting the main events of the story. Use speech bubbles, thought bubbles, and/or captions. Make it colorful.
Draw or paint your favorite scene from the book.
Use clay to create your favorite character from the book. Tell us about this character, or write a brief character sketch.
Find a paper lunch bag (or use a lunch box.) Decorate the bag, and fill it with 5 or more items that represent something meaningful about the story. Tell us why you chose those particular items.
Create a diorama showing an important scene from the book. Make use of different textures, colors and unusual items (use a shoe box or any small box.) Include a 3x5 card that explains what we are seeing in your diorama.
Assemble a scrapbook using events from the novel to tell the story in a different way. Include pictures, drawings, mementos, speech bubbles, journal entries, thought bubbles, notes, memos, newspaper clippings, photographs, etc. Be creative!
Use the main events of the story to create a Power Point presentation. Share it with the class in August.
Write a book review to convince your classmates to read this book. Provide several examples of the most exciting scenes, and give at least four reasons why they should read it.
Using Microsoft Publisher, or any similar program, create a newspaper based on the story. Include news articles, feature articles, editorials, classified ads, community news and advertisements from local businesses or entrepreneurs.

Expectations

All work must be neatly done. Artwork should be neatly colored with crayons or colored pencils. If you paint, please use watercolors.
Written work may be done by hand in blue or black pen (no erasable pens, please), and write legibly in cursive. Please avoid scratch-outs and whiteout. If you prefer, you may use the computer (12 Times New Roman). All spelling, grammar and punctuation must be correct.
All work must be completed to the above standard of excellence, and turned in on the first day of school. Be sure to put your name on all of your work.
Be prepared to share your projects during the first week of school. These will account for your first Language Arts grades of the new school year.

There are projects offered here for all levels of interest, motivation and ability. You’ll truly find many ways to challenge yourself. Look over the list of projects and find something that you think you might enjoy. Then give it your all. I’m looking forward to hearing and reading some exciting things in August. Have fun with your summer reading!

One last note – If you’re looking for a way to improve your writing and enrich your vocabulary, reading and writing are the answers. Here are some ideas that will help you get started if you want to write a little each day. (This is optional.)

· Write a journal entry each night about what you did during the day.

· Write a letter to friends or relatives who live in another state.

· Write up a mini resume – list all the skills and talents you have.

· Write to an author of a book you’ve read.

· Write a dialogue between two characters with opposing views.

· Write a newspaper article about an event you saw while you were on vacation. Why not put together a complete newspaper of your own?

· Write a thank you note to someone who has helped you in a meaningful way.

· Write some nonsense poems. Use Shel Silverstein as your model.

· Write a “how- to” speech explaining something you know well.

· Write a persuasive paragraph; try to convince a friend to learn your favorite hobby.

· Write about specific examples you saw of God at work in your life one day.

· Take a phone message and write the details clearly.

· Write an original story about the Mars Mission – include a mini glossary.

· List your strengths and weaknesses. Write about ways to increase your strengths and improve some of your weaknesses.

· Write a play and get some friends to perform it. Be the director.

· Write an advice letter to upcoming fifth grader. Offer suggestions about how to succeed.

As always, revise, proofread, edit and polish your work. Make each example your of writing a quality piece of work, and something you can be proud to display and share. If you spend just twenty minutes a day writing, you’ll see a big improvement in your overall writing skills.

SUMMER READING BINGO – 2008-2009 GRADE 8

Try something new; read a book by an author you’ve never read.	Read through a cookbook. With help from mom or dad, cook a new recipe for your family.	Read a newspaper. Talk about the differences between the front page news and the editorials.	Read a mystery. Try Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Agatha Christie or a Sherlock Holmes tale.(Arthur Conan Doyle)	Read one of the books from the Maximum Ride series.
Read a magazine written just for children, and complete all the activities.	Plan a family fantasy trip. Take a map and highlight the most direct route for your journey.	Read a book of Fables. Then read one or more of the fables to a younger child.	Read a book from the New Testament.	Read a book of poetry. Then write your own original poem. Illustrate it.
Read a book from the Old Testament.	Read as much as you can about our presidential candidates. Compare their positions on important issues.	FREE SPACE	Read a “how-to” book and learn how to do something new. Show or tell someone about your newly acquired skill.	Participate in one or more of the programs offered by your local library. Share with us in August.
Read an instruction manual. Is it clearly written and easy to follow? What questions would you ask the writer?	Read several food nutrition labels. Which foods provide the most nutrition for the best price? What would you buy? Why?	Read St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (or any of his other letters.) What is he trying to tell them? Talk about it with a family member.	Read a book by Gary Paulsen. What did you find out about courage?	Read The Magician’s Nephew, by C.S. Lewis. Design a new cover for the book. Tell mom or dad why you decided on that particular cover.
Read a book by Stephanie Meyer. (She’s becoming known as the “J.K. Rowling of America.”)	Read The Hobbit. What do hobbits treasure most? Would you want a Hobbit as a friend?	Read one of Karen Hesse’s books.	Read a book about a young person who made a real difference. Tell us about it.	Read a book that shows animals and humans working together. Tell a friend how it happened.

Let’s play Bingo! Complete your card diagonally, horizontally, or vertically.

Please return your completed card on the first day of school.

If you’re ready for a serious challenge, try a coverall. Enjoy reading this summer.

Name__________________________________________________ Date__________

Mrs. Boyd

Please make sure to take a look at Mrs. Lloyd's Science Page

for information on the Science Fair

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